535 vs 525 M50

[karl1171]

After driving a 520 for a couple of years I eventually upgraded to a 91 525 last autumn. Its a huge improvement but i'm considering getting a 535 as I still want to be faster! My only concern is the increase in running costs particularly as here in the uk we're paying nearly £1 per litre!!! I've seen sellers saying they get about 24mpg, thats the same as I'm getting now!

Any advice?

[Rob]

Pound per litre? That's nothing bru, down here we're almost paying 6 Rand per litre!

[rob101]

nooooooo its happening again....
i admit everything i like the m30 and the m50 i know you have to take sides but i am staying out of this one!

[mrjynxx]

I say get the bigger engine and make the most of it before petrol prices REALLY go through the roof and you definitely can't afford it!

[pundit]

M30 with EAT chip.
As you reach 3500 RPM things begin to happen.
By 4500 RPM it's happening and keeps going until the rev limiter kicks in.
Mine's only an auto but put it in 'Sports Mode' and once it hits the magic mark it's not too shabby for a heavy car with a 3.4 litre motor.
A 5 speed would be better as would a 540, as would a M5, as would an Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo... Okay I'll stop dreaming now!!

[Omega]

Pound per litre? That's nothing bru, down here we're almost paying 6 Rand per litre!

6 South African rand = 0.498698608 British pounds I.e. less than 50p per litre.

In england fuel costs are almost £1 per litre, that is we buy a litre of fuel for the equivalent of:
12 Rand (South Africa)
1.88 USD (American Dollar)
2.46 AUD (Australian Dollar)
3.02 NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
1.46 EURO

But at least the government uses the Tax on useful things......... Can't think of anything specific at the moment though.

[MSM]

karl1171,

I'm stuck in the UK too. I have a 535i sport manual... I recently got 29+mpg over a decent length trip at , ahem, motorway speeds... and that was with some fun bits thrown in. A healthy one of these cars can be fairly economical when you want them to be.

msm

[Incantation]

535 obviously. more power and more torque across the board.

but from a fuel standpoint the 2.5 will be better as u really only get power (and use more juice) when you rev it

[Rustam]

After driving a 520 for a couple of years I eventually upgraded to a 91 525 last autumn. Its a huge improvement but i'm considering getting a 535 as I still want to be faster! My only concern is the increase in running costs particularly as here in the uk we're paying nearly £1 per litre!!! I've seen sellers saying they get about 24mpg, thats the same as I'm getting now!

Any advice?

The 535 would require a bit more maintenance from you:

The ignition has a distributor - must attend to that. I would prefer to see the ignition of m50 on my car instead - it provides better fuel economy.
So do the 24 valves instead of 12.

It's a heavy car and MPG show it...

[Rory525]

Something to remember is here in the UK good condition 535is are hard to come by being pretty old... last ones were 1992 I think...

So basically you have a much better chance of getting a tidy m50 525i. My choice would be a 525i Sport , not that im biased or anything but it is definately not slow and handles well.